BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Minnesota

BLS occupation: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018)

$59,730 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$28.72 per hour

▼ 7.3% below U.S. average37th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$59,730per year
Median$58,780per year
Hourly$28.72per hour
10th – 90th percentile$45,250 – $77,320per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Minnesota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,250
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$48,910
  • 50th Percentile — Median$58,780
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$65,430
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$77,320

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Minnesota earn more than $58,780. The top 10% make $77,320 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,250.

Mental Health Counselors in Minnesota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Minnesota ranks 37th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $59,730 per year (7.3% below the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 7,110 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Minnesota — 1.4% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.76: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in Minnesota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,250; the top 10% earn over $77,320.
  • Hourly equivalent: $28.72 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Minnesota, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($78,300).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Minnesota

Key factors affecting compensation

Minnesota's key industries are Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $59,730 on average, placing the state 37th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.0 (U.S. = 1.00), a Minnesota salary of $59,730 is roughly equivalent to $59,730 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Florida ($61,030), Missouri ($60,670), Montana ($60,590) are the closest alternatives for Mental Health Counselors weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Mental Health Counselors salary in Minnesota?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Minnesota is $59,730 per year (median $58,780), which is 7.3% below the national average of $64,440.

How does Minnesota rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Minnesota ranks 37th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

How much do entry-level Mental Health Counselors make in Minnesota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Minnesota earn about $45,250 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,910.

How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in Minnesota?

About $28.72 per hour, based on the $59,730 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Minnesota?

BLS counts 7,110 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Minnesota (OEWS May 2025).

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